Split over greenhouse veto powers

Tuesday, 23 May 2000 ABC Online

A split has emerged in Federal Cabinet over plans to give the Commonwealth power to veto projects which emit high levels of greenhouse gases.

The Federal Government has developed a plan which would require it to approve any project that would increase carbon dioxide levels by 500,000 tonnes a year, such as power stations. It is part of the government's commitment to reducing greenhouse emissions under the Kyoto Protocol and was a promise made last year in return for the Democrats' support for the goods and services tax.

The Environment Minister, Robert Hill, whose department drew up the proposal, says he supports the emission threshold.

Senator Hill says the 500,000 tonne threshold is equivalent to 10 per cent of the average annual increase in Australia's greenhouse emissions and therefore of national environmental significance.

But at least one other Cabinet Minister, Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson, is opposed to the plan.

He says federal involvement will only add to the complexity and delays for new development projects and could deter business investment in Australia.

Mr Anderson says there are better ways to cut greenhouse emissions which would have less impact on rural Australia.